Coney Island

Coney Island is the birthplace of the world’s first roller coaster, the Switchback Railway that opened here in 1884.9601280

Coney Island is the birthplace of the world’s first roller coaster, the Switchback Railway that opened here in 1884.

Coney Island

Coney Island

The original visual pleasures of New York City were old-school Vaudevillian shows, and this is a tradition that Coney Island continues with its circus sideshow acts.9601280

The original visual pleasures of New York City were old-school Vaudevillian shows, and this is a tradition that Coney Island continues with its circus sideshow acts.

Coney Island

Coney Island

The Brooklyn Flyer at Coney Island is just one of the many stomach-churning rides on this famous island that’s not really an island ... it’s a peninsula!9601280

The Brooklyn Flyer at Coney Island is just one of the many stomach-churning rides on this famous island that’s not really an island ... it’s a peninsula!

Coney Island

Coney Island

Located in the borough of Brooklyn, just an hour from Times Square, Coney Island is the Big Apple’s beach, with the most famous boardwalk in the country.9601280

Located in the borough of Brooklyn, just an hour from Times Square, Coney Island is the Big Apple’s beach, with the most famous boardwalk in the country.

Coney Island

Coney Island

Coney Island’s history goes back nearly 2 centuries when the first resort opened in 1829. It was a destination by horse and buggy, train or trolley car and an escape from the city squalor.9601280

Coney Island’s history goes back nearly 2 centuries when the first resort opened in 1829. It was a destination by horse and buggy, train or trolley car and an escape from the city squalor.

Coney Island

Coney Island

Three hours away from Coney Island is another hot spot with a uniquely wild attitude. Welcome to the Wildwood, NJ, boardwalk … a destination with lots of swagger.9601280

Three hours away from Coney Island is another hot spot with a uniquely wild attitude. Welcome to the Wildwood, NJ, boardwalk … a destination with lots of swagger.

Wildwood, NJ

Wildwood, NJ

For generations, Wildwood has held claim to the tallest, fastest and scariest rides around.9601280

For generations, Wildwood has held claim to the tallest, fastest and scariest rides around.

Wildwood, NJ

Wildwood, NJ

Today, Wildwood’s boardwalk is nearly 2 miles long, and there’s no better way to start a day at Wildwood than with an epic, heart-pounding ride. 9601280

Today, Wildwood’s boardwalk is nearly 2 miles long, and there’s no better way to start a day at Wildwood than with an epic, heart-pounding ride.

Wildwood, NJ

Wildwood, NJ

Right on the southernmost tip of the New Jersey shore, just around the corner from Cape May, Wildwood is New Jersey’s top-rated beach. You can tan, splash, or scream at this ultimate summer playground.9601280

Right on the southernmost tip of the New Jersey shore, just around the corner from Cape May, Wildwood is New Jersey’s top-rated beach. You can tan, splash, or scream at this ultimate summer playground.

Coney Island

Coney Island

Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel was built in 1920, and it’s still rocking and rolling today. It’s one of the only Ferris wheels in the world with cars that slide from side to side as the wheel turns.9601280

Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel was built in 1920, and it’s still rocking and rolling today. It’s one of the only Ferris wheels in the world with cars that slide from side to side as the wheel turns.

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San Diego

San Diego

Board sports are a way of life in San Diego, and paddleboarding is just one of the many ways Mission Beach locals hit the waves.9601280

Board sports are a way of life in San Diego, and paddleboarding is just one of the many ways Mission Beach locals hit the waves.

San Diego

San Diego

The boardwalk dates back to 1925, when millionaire developer John D. Spreckels founded Mission Beach. His dream was to build a beachside playground, so he started with an amusement park, now called Belmont Park.9601280

The boardwalk dates back to 1925, when millionaire developer John D. Spreckels founded Mission Beach. His dream was to build a beachside playground, so he started with an amusement park, now called Belmont Park.

San Diego

San Diego

Just 16 miles from the Mexican border, San Diego is the southernmost metropolitan city in California. It’s got great weather, waves and babes all year long.9601280

Just 16 miles from the Mexican border, San Diego is the southernmost metropolitan city in California. It’s got great weather, waves and babes all year long.

Mission Beach’s Wave House

Mission Beach’s Wave House

The manmade monsters at Mission Beach’s Wave House are created with the help of the FlowBarrel -- the mother of all wave machines, it’s one of only 5 in the world.9601280

The manmade monsters at Mission Beach’s Wave House are created with the help of the FlowBarrel -- the mother of all wave machines, it’s one of only 5 in the world.

San Diego

San Diego

Hot fun in the summer sun never ends in San Diego -- it’s the coolest surfer’s paradise in the US.9601280

Hot fun in the summer sun never ends in San Diego -- it’s the coolest surfer’s paradise in the US.

San Diego

San Diego

San Diego’s wooden boardwalk connects Mission Beach with Pacific Beach to the north.9601280

San Diego’s wooden boardwalk connects Mission Beach with Pacific Beach to the north.

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD

One 5-hour flight to the East Coast is another simmering locale … the action sport mecca of Ocean City, MD. In the summertime, warm Atlantic currents transform this hotspot into the ultimate thrill fest.9601280

One 5-hour flight to the East Coast is another simmering locale … the action sport mecca of Ocean City, MD. In the summertime, warm Atlantic currents transform this hotspot into the ultimate thrill fest.

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD, or “OCMD” for short, sits between the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, and the boardwalk here is a thriving 2-and-a-half mile adventure-seekers’ paradise.9601280

Ocean City, MD, or “OCMD” for short, sits between the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, and the boardwalk here is a thriving 2-and-a-half mile adventure-seekers’ paradise.

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD

Fisher's Popcorn is an Ocean City, MD, staple. They have been filling the boardwalk air with the scent of hot, buttery, caramel-covered popcorn since 1937.9601280

Fisher's Popcorn is an Ocean City, MD, staple. They have been filling the boardwalk air with the scent of hot, buttery, caramel-covered popcorn since 1937.

Ocean City’s Splash Mountain Waterpark

Ocean City’s Splash Mountain Waterpark

The Aqualoop at Ocean City’s Splash Mountain Waterpark is a near-vertical water-fueled drop that morphs into an incline loop. It’s one of only 3 of its kind in the US.9601280

The Aqualoop at Ocean City’s Splash Mountain Waterpark is a near-vertical water-fueled drop that morphs into an incline loop. It’s one of only 3 of its kind in the US.

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD

It’s hard to miss Ocean Gallery on the Ocean City, MD, boardwalk. Visitors from all over stop by to peruse its unique works of art.9601280

It’s hard to miss Ocean Gallery on the Ocean City, MD, boardwalk. Visitors from all over stop by to peruse its unique works of art.

Ocean City, MD

Ocean City, MD

No trip to the boardwalk is complete without an ice cream cone, so step back in time at one of Dumser's Dairyland’s 3 boardwalk locations in Ocean City, MD -- serving delicious treats since 1939.9601280

No trip to the boardwalk is complete without an ice cream cone, so step back in time at one of Dumser's Dairyland’s 3 boardwalk locations in Ocean City, MD -- serving delicious treats since 1939.

Atlantic City

Trump Taj Mahal

This tunnel of games leads to the Trump Taj Mahal, which has one of the largest poker rooms in Atlantic City.9601280

This tunnel of games leads to the Trump Taj Mahal, which has one of the largest poker rooms in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City

In the 1800s, saltwater taffy became the “first Atlantic City souvenir,” and James Candy still uses the original recipe that made it such a hit back then. 9601280

In the 1800s, saltwater taffy became the “first Atlantic City souvenir,” and James Candy still uses the original recipe that made it such a hit back then.

Surfer girls in Atlantic City

Surfer girls in Atlantic City

After a crash course in the fundamentals, these girls mastered the theory of catching waves and hit the Atlantic City surf, the same shores that rumrunners used to smuggle illegal booze during Prohibition.9601280

After a crash course in the fundamentals, these girls mastered the theory of catching waves and hit the Atlantic City surf, the same shores that rumrunners used to smuggle illegal booze during Prohibition.

Hollywood Beach, FL

Hollywood Beach, FL

Twelve hundred miles south is another locale with the most exotic vibe of all: Hollywood Beach, FL.9601280

Twelve hundred miles south is another locale with the most exotic vibe of all: Hollywood Beach, FL.

Hollywood Beach, FL

Hollywood Beach, FL

Hollywood Beach’s Caribbean-like charm makes it a dreamy escape from the spring break hot spots to the north and south. 9601280

Hollywood Beach’s Caribbean-like charm makes it a dreamy escape from the spring break hot spots to the north and south.

Nick’s Bar and Grill

Nick’s Bar and Grill

Happy hour is the perfect time to loosen up at the hottest spot on the boardwalk, or “broadwalk” as the locals call it: Nick’s Bar and Grill.9601280

Happy hour is the perfect time to loosen up at the hottest spot on the boardwalk, or “broadwalk” as the locals call it: Nick’s Bar and Grill.

The ArtsPark at Young Circle

The ArtsPark at Young Circle

The ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood Beach encompasses 10 acres of parks and promenades, complete with an interactive fountain.9601280

The ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood Beach encompasses 10 acres of parks and promenades, complete with an interactive fountain.

Hollywood Beach’s Le Tub

Hollywood Beach’s Le Tub

Hollywood Beach’s Le Tub features bathtubs as art and planters throughout the restaurant, so it’s easy to see where it got its name from. 9601280

Hollywood Beach’s Le Tub features bathtubs as art and planters throughout the restaurant, so it’s easy to see where it got its name from.

Hollywood Beach’s Le Tub

Hollywood Beach’s Le Tub

With its tropical vibe, Le Tub makes you feel like you’re eating in the Amazon, just a few blocks off the beach. 9601280

With its tropical vibe, Le Tub makes you feel like you’re eating in the Amazon, just a few blocks off the beach.

Santa Cruz’s annual Polynesian Festival

At Santa Cruz’s annual Polynesian Festival, the main attraction is the outrigger races. Outrigger boats are elongated 9-man canoes controlled by paddles and a Hawaiian tradition that dates back centuries.9601280

At Santa Cruz’s annual Polynesian Festival, the main attraction is the outrigger races. Outrigger boats are elongated 9-man canoes controlled by paddles and a Hawaiian tradition that dates back centuries.

Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz, CA

The first recorded instance of surfing in the US was off the shores of Santa Cruz in 1885, when 3 Hawaiian princes decided to hang ten. Today, riding waves is still a favorite pastime in the waters of Santa Cruz.9601280

The first recorded instance of surfing in the US was off the shores of Santa Cruz in 1885, when 3 Hawaiian princes decided to hang ten. Today, riding waves is still a favorite pastime in the waters of Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Riders fly high above the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on the Sea Swings.9601280

Riders fly high above the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on the Sea Swings.

Santa Cruz’s Looff Carousel

Santa Cruz’s Looff Carousel

Santa Cruz’s Looff Carousel was built in 1911 by the Looff family, one of the early manufacturers of carousels. Only 5 other intact Looff carousels remain in the US, and this one was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.9601280

Santa Cruz’s Looff Carousel was built in 1911 by the Looff family, one of the early manufacturers of carousels. Only 5 other intact Looff carousels remain in the US, and this one was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is located just south of the oyster-filled waters of the Chesapeake Bay. A 3-mile boardwalk borders what the Guinness Book of Records calls “The World’s Largest Pleasure Beach.”9601280

Virginia Beach is located just south of the oyster-filled waters of the Chesapeake Bay. A 3-mile boardwalk borders what the Guinness Book of Records calls “The World’s Largest Pleasure Beach.”

Virginia Beach’s boardwalk

Virginia Beach’s boardwalk

Every year more than 5.5 million summertime party people swarm Virginia Beach’s boardwalk. Virginia’s social elite first put the boardwalk on the map in the late 1800s, when they came to enjoy its first luxury hotel.9601280

Every year more than 5.5 million summertime party people swarm Virginia Beach’s boardwalk. Virginia’s social elite first put the boardwalk on the map in the late 1800s, when they came to enjoy its first luxury hotel.

Virginia Beach’s Ocean Breeze Water Park

Virginia Beach’s Ocean Breeze Water Park

In addition to the wave pool, slides and lazy river, Virginia Beach’s Ocean Breeze Water Park offers shaded cabanas for relaxing like a VIP.9601280

In addition to the wave pool, slides and lazy river, Virginia Beach’s Ocean Breeze Water Park offers shaded cabanas for relaxing like a VIP.

Rudee Inlet

Rudee Inlet

Just off the boardwalk in Rudee Inlet, strength, balance and flexibility are all honed and challenged with paddleboard yoga. 9601280

Just off the boardwalk in Rudee Inlet, strength, balance and flexibility are all honed and challenged with paddleboard yoga.